Wyoming County Students Win $100,000 Prize in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow National Competition

Charleston, W.Va. - State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt congratulates the student team from Huff Consolidated Elementary and Middle School (Wyoming County) after the group placed among the top three teams nationally in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition and was named winner of the Community Choice Vote. The achievement earns the school $110,000 in classroom technology and resources.

Led by Huff Consolidated Science and Social Studies Teacher Brittany Miller-Baker, the team was inspired to submit a water filtration project in response to the county's ongoing water crisis. Abandoned coal mines in the community have polluted creeks, aquifers and other water systems with acid mine drainage - highly acidic water rich in heavy metals and sulfates.

"When we were selected, we didn't really know what to do, and we had tested some bottled water. We thought about it, and then we decided we were going to try to design some kind of system," said Kaden Thomas, an 8th-grade student at Huff Consolidated. "People are suffering daily. I think that it opens our eyes to our future and what we can do as part of the community, and what we can influence the community to do."

The student-made filtration system prototype is a cost-conscious option comprised of materials already available to community members, and costs around $300 to build. Using charcoal, limestone, sand and UV lights, the team hopes this accessible option can provide community members with relief in the short term.

"Seeing students rise to the challenge of addressing a real issue in their community through classroom learning is inspiring. These students are passionate about STEM and dedicated to making a difference, both of which are paving the way for actionable change," said Superintendent Blatt. "I'm grateful that Ms. Miller-Baker is bringing this to life in her classroom by inspiring a future generation of leaders, scientists, chemists and geologists, and I am proud of how well these students represented the Mountain State. Congratulations to everyone involved on a job well done. "

A recording of the team's pitch and award ceremony can be viewed on Samsung U.S. Newsroom's YouTube Channel. Photos of the team and project can be viewed in the West Virginia Department of Education's (WVDE) Flickr album.